Sicko (Special Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Sicko (Special Edition)
Movie Review: Just see it
Summary: 5 Stars
Please people, put aside your personal opinions of the man behind the camera of SICKO, put aside debating the patriotism of a person who has issues with the system, put aside how much you wish he would just drop dead, and accept the fact that this country is highly flawed in many ways, and one of them is our government's insistance on placing profit before human life.
Now, about two weeks before the release of SICKO (let me emphasize this, beofre the movie was even in theaters to be seen by ANYBODY) Fox Noise ego-maniac Sean Hannity did a piece on his solo show Hannty's America, in which he claims that Mr. Moore does not mention that waiting periods in Canada, France, etc. are longer, or that they have higher taxes. Now, anybody who has actually bothered to SEE THE MOVIE knows that Mr. Hannity is completely wrong in this case (as he generally is about everything), and that Mr. Moore devotes entire sections of the film to addressing these two contentions (I believe he uses the phrase, "Drowning in taxes"), so do yourself a favor and don't make the fool of yourself that Sean Hannity has. (I wonder why he would chastise Mr. Moore for taking 9/11 heroes to Cuba for the care they can't afford, but feels that they aren't equally accountable.)
We all know Mr. Moore's grievance in the film has less to do with the fact that some fifty-million Americans have no health insurance (although that is still a huge issue), but that those who do are often cheated out their treatments by gold-digging CEO's. That much is clear.
But for those of you who would still doubt that we have a big problem with health care, allow me to share a personal story: My father was in the Military for 22 years, and he and my mother have health insurance for life now. As for me, as long as I stay in college, I am covered, by Tri-Care...that is, until my 23rd birthday. Then, student or not, I'm on my own. If I get into some kind of accident, and I don't yet have a job with health insurance, I'm basically just going to be told that life is full of surprises.
The current state of this country is unacceptable in many ways, healthcare being one of them, but it all boils down to the simple fact that our government, and especially the current administration, is now little more than a pack of glorified businessmen, whose sole objective is to make gargantuan profits. We have veered off from the Democratic principals the country was founded under, and are on our way to becoming a New Roman Empire.
If the previous statement sounds unpatriotic to you, then you have yet to open your eyes to the truth; Michael Moore is right, we need to abadon being a society of "Me" and become a society of "We". I will no doubt be labeled a Communist by some of the more right-wing Ann Coulter-ites on Amazon, but the simple fact is that they are wrong; I'm right.
One of the countries with universally accessible medicine Mr. Moore visits in SICKO is France, and perhaps instead of the Bush Administration's "United we stand, Divided we fall" slogan, we should adopted a new catchphrase, of French origin, which we should place on our money on the opposite side of "In God we trust", and it should read:
"ALL FOR ONE, AND ONE FOR ALL."
Movie Review: One of the biggest problems in our country, and Moore has the evidence.
Summary: 5 Stars
This has to be Michael Moore's best documentary to date. He attacks one of America's biggest problems with humor and heartfelt stories. As somebody who used to doubt universal health care, I was convinced, hands down, after seeing this documentary that America's Health Care System needs to be reformed.
I personally could actually identify with some of these health insurance horror stories. My very own sister became very sick one day while working, and had to be ambulanced to the hospital. And just like the girl in the film, who was charged thousands of dollars because the ambulance wasn't "pre-approved" by her company, well, that's what happened to us. Yeah, so just remember, even if you are about to die, make sure your insurance company approves of you getting into an ambulance before you even think about calling 911.
Universal Health care is in no ways perfect, but no system is. And our system here in the United States is far from perfect, further than any other country. The truth about "waiting lines" is that the only real surgeries you have to wait for are "elective surgeries". If you have a life threatening condition, you're in. I'd be thankful that this health care is free when I'm waiting.
In every other rich, industrialized nation, people riot like crazy when they're upset. Wouldn't these systems have been overhauled from riots by now if people were dying in the streets from so-called "waiting lines"? There are many reports saying that OUR OWN Emergency Rooms are being stretched beyond the limit! If these universal health care systems are so bad, why is it that when it comes to our population's heath standards, compared to other rich countries, we're at the bottom of the list? Cuba is above us (some reports say we are tied with Cuba, but no reports put us above them, especially in life-expectancy)! Hey, I'd rather die from something because the doctor had to take care of others, than die because I simply couldn't pay for it.
People against universal health care say that we have the best doctors, the best treatments, and the best hospitals in the world. I don't doubt that for a second. SO WHY CAN'T WE LET EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN SHARE IN THAT SYSTEM, REGARDLESS OF INCOME?!?! Why should doctors have to call insurance companies to get permission to take care of a patient? And people think that universal health care red tape is bad. You have no idea how much paper work and questioning and phone calls, etc, comes with dealing with insurance companies. They say universal health care denies important treatments. Well, look at all people who have died because their insurance companies refused to pay.
For every one universal health care horror story comes with over 1,000 health-insurance horror stories. One thing is clear: health care for profit must go, as should profiting of off denying health care. Plain and simple. We are the only industrialized nation not using this system, and as I've said before, our health standards are at the bottom of the list. Japan uses this system, and they have one of the world's highest life expectancies and economies. For crying out loud, Israelis have a higher life-expectancy.
Do any doubters of universal health care, see the film first.
Movie Review: Michael Moore thanks DENNIS KUCINICH for running for President
Summary: 5 Stars
I think it's important that everyone who watches this movie knows that the only person running for US President who has Michael Moore's support for their healthcare plan is DENNIS KUCINICH. Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate of any party who is offering a single-payer, not-for-profit universal healthcare system.
The other candidates want to keep insurance companies and big business involved, which means premiums, co-pays, and deductibles will still be through the roof. Please see Dennis Kucinich's healthcare plan! This is from my own writing with some included background:
Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate for President with a plan for a universal, single-payer, not-for-profit health care system. 1 out of every 6 people in this country is without health insurance and even more are underinsured. Many people know that the United States is by far the wealthiest nation in the world. Yet many people falsely believe that the United States has the best healthcare system. On a 16 point study, the
United States ranked 12th out of 13 countries studied for their healthcare systems. Sweden, for example, has universal healthcare. The Swedish spend LESS per capita on healthcare, their government spends LESS funding healthcare, and their percentage of GDP spent on healthcare is barely half of what we spend. And the real kicker is that a Swedish person's life expectancy is more than TWO YEARS greater than
ours.
So we've covered the facts that universal healthcare would cost us less than we're paying now (as far as individuals), it will cost our government less, and we'd get better care. But some critics say that there would be a shortage of doctors and nurses. This is where it gets really interesting! Critics often say that people would have less incentive to be doctors or nurses because they would be paid less under a universal healthcare system. Yet the facts are surprising. Considering the US, 9 of every 1000 people are nurses and 2 of every 1000 people are doctors. Sweden, however, has 28% more doctors per 100 people and 10% more nurses than the United States. The statistics are similar for other
wealthy countries. Out of 50 countries ranked by life expectancy, the United States ranked 38! Dennis knows that this is not acceptable for the wealthiest and most powerful nation in the world to be ranked number 38 in anything, but especially the health and well being of our people!
But what makes Dennis' healthcare plan different from other candidates? As I mentioned earlier, Dennis is the only candidate with a single-payer, not-for-profit healthcare system. What this means is that mega insurance companies are no longer the only option. Private health insurance will still be available for those who desire it and wish to pay for it, but there will be no more expensive premiums, co-pays, or deductibles
for those who choose to be covered under the universal system. Choice equals freedom, and so Dennis gives us a choice. But being taken care of is a right that everyone is entitled to, and that is why Dennis supports single-payer, not-for-profit healthcare.
DENNIS KUCINICH
http://www.kucinich.us
http://www.youtube.com/denniskucinich
Movie Review: Great Film from a Great Man
Summary: 5 Stars
I was a little taken aback at Rolling Stone's suggestion of Michael Moore's latest documentary "You'll laugh till it hurts." Now I love to laugh so much that it actually hurts, but I found precious little to laugh about in SICKO. I'm also familiar with Moore's wickedly funny trademark style--and like it too. But I also feel that Michael Moore reaches a new level here, more sophisticated craftsmanship, and a tone that is--yes, more serious.
Critics of Moore's films have blasted them as being too personal, too politically biased and deceptively promoted as being documentaries when in reality they are little more than propaganda. All this mat well be true, but we can use a little counter-propaganda in these days of unrelenting capitalist & nationalistic propaganda. At least Moore's "propaganda" is sensitive, aware, incisive and, yes, funny too.
The opening sequence immediately draws the viewer into an almost shocking involvement with images of accidental amputation of fingers. These images are not just for the shock value, but thematically foreshadow central events in the film. For example, the medical treatment of two amputees is contrasted between the experience of one patient in the USA and the other in Canada. The working class US patient was told the reconnection of one finger would cost $6,000 and the other $24,000. So the patient (who made a living working with his hands) really couldn't afford either, but could only commit to the $6,000 procedure. The Canadian patient received free treatment.
When focusing on the state of British healthcare there is a very insightful interview with influential socialist parliamentarian Tony Benn. Benn movingly explains that a free healthcare system is not "charity," but rather a democratic right for all citizens. Across The Channel in Paris people from all economic groups are likewise interviewed and is clear that their system too (at least prior to the last general elections) is light years beyond medical care in the USA. One woman observed that she found it incomprehensible that the wealthiest country in the world was so primitive when it came to the healthcare of its citizens.
Makes you stop to think...
Michael Moore pulls out all the stops for the concluding sequence (and is the first time you actually see him in the film.)
Three people who were interviewed earlier in America accompany Moore in a small boat trip TO Cuba! Not only were these people screwed over by the US medical system--they were all 9/11 volunteers whose health was basically ruined by their courageous involvement in the search & rescue efforts. So they went to Cuba--where they received state-of-the-art diagnosis & treatment. An American woman (a nurse) who was suffering from advance COPD due to the 9/11 debris, broke into tears when she found out that one of the same drugs she needed that cost over $100 in the US, was dispensed for the equivalent 5 CENTS in Cuba.
I knew that Michael Moore was a great film director (documentary or otherwise), now I sincerely think he is also a great man.
OK, maybe he could use a few good fashion tips, but what the hell...?
Movie Review: need attension but not a solusion
Summary: 5 Stars
I like this film because it did provide a real part of people's life and what could happen to anyone who does not have millions of dollors. He gave us examples from other counties that have better care than US.
First I agree that the HMO is not in the place to help us. they are not trying to provide the best care as they have claimed with their ad.
Let me give you an example, if you want a hot dog, you could get it from a stand, It might cost you $2, or you could go to a food store, you might get a pack of 8 for $2. This is simple, You have cut the middle man who need to make a profit. If we cut this HMO profit, We might get better care for the same amount of money we spend. So we do not need to be afraid that HMO could go to another planet.
What we need to think about is how real can an universal health plan work here.
Lets just say that we have working library system, but we also have Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Borders...., If you need a book for free, first you have to check if your library has it, then you might have to wait for your turn. When you finally get that book, you need to return it on time, otherwise, you are fined. Do you know that you can not keep that book if you like it so much ? And you can not start a lawsuit against the library for not having something you want, or that you did not get it on time, you might be very very much distressed about this. People pay for their books all the time along using the library. People who has more money could live a better life and get better treatment for lots of services than the poor. It is not right for any American to be hungry, but it is also not real for each of us to enjoy lobster every time we see someone's plate has a lobster.
Another example is our public school system, Are we having a functional one? How do we compare ours with other counties? And again, Can parent start a lawsuit if their children fail their grade or did not get into the best college ?
Like we all deserve education, we all deserve basic healthcare. But we live in a very special thinking environment in this county that is totally different from other countries, and we are paying the price no one else is paying. You pay for extra extra tests that are not needed, you pay for the malpractice and lawyers.
Think about it, we are crying loud for the skyrocketing cost of health care. Most people think that the cost of healthcare depends on doctors and nurses fee, if you do some investigation, the percentage of these fees has been dropping steadily for the past 20 years. Actually they only acount for a small percentage of overall cost. The New York Times reported 2006 that doctors' average pay, after adjusting for inflation, fell seven percent in the last eight years. And your primary care doctor's income dropped by 10 percent.
I think that if we have a realistic target, we sure can get much better care than we have with these HMOs. But please do not think that we should get every advanced care for free.
I still like this movie very much, it just let us know that we might do much better without being afraid that HMO would stop making millions out of US citizens.